Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
Today’s pending announcement that the GOP will introduce a ‘Pledge for America’ includes rhetoric about cutting taxes, reducing the size of the government, repealing health reform, and eliminating $100 billion in discretionary spending among other chestnuts. It’s good to hear … Continue reading Where were those deficit hawks when Part D was passed?
Read More...There’s an easy $200 billion in deficit reduction out there – require CMS to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, a move that would reduce annual expenditures by over $20 billion – or $200 billion closer to a “cliff”-avoiding deal. As … Continue reading Here’s $200 billion in deficit reduction for Boehner and Obama
Read More...Rep Ryan has taken what, by any definition, is a very bold and aggressive position regarding Medicare. He has – quite rightly – acknowledged that Medicare’s current financial trajectory is unsustainable. While one can argue with Ryan’s solution, one cannot … Continue reading Paul Ryan’s evolving stance on deficits and Medicare spending
Read More...Rep. Paul Ryan (R WI) and the House Republicans are touting their budget as fiscally responsible and prudent. What Mr Ryan conveniently forgets, or more likely avoids, is this: Eight short years ago he – and his GOP buddies – … Continue reading The GOP budget, fiscal responsibility, and Part D
Read More...The Medicare drug program – Part D – was the largest expansion of entitlement programs since the Great Society. And it was – and is – a Republican program. A political masterstroke, Part D undoubtedly helped George W Bush get … Continue reading Who passed Part D and why you should care.
Read More...When Congress reaches agreement on a deal to increase the debt limit, there will almost certainly be parts that significantly affect workers comp. Medicare and Medicaid are on the table, with both likely to lose hundreds of millions in funding … Continue reading The deficit deal’s impact on workers comp
Read More...It looks like the GOP is going to win, and win big today, their success driven in large part by voter outrage about taxes and spending, with concern about the cost of reform a strong supporting actor. If those voting … Continue reading The GOP and Medicare deficits – this is gonna hurt
Read More...I’ve just about had it with the GOP’s demagoguing about deficits. The party of fiscal responsibility, of low taxes and small government, of controlled spending and personal responsibility – that party – seems to have rediscovered its roots of late, … Continue reading Demagogues, Deficits and Healthcare
Read More...For the first time in about forever, big pharma lost. One can’t overstate the impact of the-about-to-become-law Inflation Reduction Act on pharma. The most powerful lobbying force in Washington got steamrolled – with one major exception. Medicare will now be … Continue reading The Inflation Reduction Act’s biggest loser
Read More...AHCA has failed, and with it the Republicans’ efforts to repeal ACA. Despite President Trump’s threats, cajolery, and bribing the Freedom Caucus, the attempt to repeal ACA is, for now and probably for the long term, dead. (Please allow me this … Continue reading AHCA has failed – what’s the next step?
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